ARDC delivers at Grandview Speedway

Dietz holds court at Grandview on Wednesday.

By Tammyrae Benscoter

Tuesday nights Tim Dietz, Hanover Pa, dominated rescheduled Thunder on the Hill event.

"I honestly did not feel that I had the car to win,"said Dietz, whose car underwent drastic front-end changes after the weekend"s race at Whip City Speedway. "Something just wasn"t right in the handling," he said,"But we were going good and just kept watching the scoreboard.

Something else Dietz has become accustomed to seeing is the No. 1 of Ray Bull, Bloomsburg Pa, on the track. "I wish Ray would"ve been racing," said Dietz,"we race hard on the track together. "Bull blew a piston during hot laps prior to the Tuesday night rain showers.

Dietz who started ninth made his way quickly to the front while cars shuffled for position throughout the rest of the pack. Dietz took the lead from Walt Stearly, Trappe Pa, on lap 10 of the 25-lap event.

"The third fastest car got second," said Stearly,"not a bad night. "For Stearly, Tuesday night was worse. He broke a drive arm in his primary race car. Stearly then climbed aboard the No. 41 that he fields for Jimmy Stitzel. "I feel bad for Jimmy," said Stearly,"he was going to run the 441 last night."

Rain had dashed the hopes of drivers and fans on Tuesday, but the ARDC and their faithful supporters were on hand for some intense racing on Wednesday.

The red flag brought out an emergency caution on lap 11 when Marc Dailey, Brownsburg In, hit the turn 2 retaining wall and flipped. Dailey was able to walk away uninjured.

The ARDC midgets quickly got back into racing form and delivered one of their better performances for the crowd at Grandview.

The No. 5 of Marc Freeland, Ickesburg Pa, brought out the final caution as he got loose in turn two and slowed on the backstretch. After a brief moment, the car was able to rejoin the class of cars. At that same time, Randy Mausteller, Bloomsburg Pa retired his car for the evening. Mausteller had blown a rear end component on the No. 21.

Gary Halteman, Gilbertsville Pa, was stirring things up. He had a strong fourth place finish. Halteman had found second and was battling side by side with Stearly. Mike Roselli Jr., Brodheadsville Pa, started back in sixteenth position. Roselli charged to the front and passed Halteman for third at the line. "A couple more laps and we would"ve caught him (Stearly) said Roselli, who made his second start with ARDC this year.

Jim Jackson, Sweet Valley Pa; Shawn Burke, Saylorsburg Pa; Chris Mowray, Glatsonbury CT; and Craig Rochelle, Hackettstown NJ exchanged positions in the middle of the pack numerous times.

But it was Kathy Kurtz, Temple Pa, who made a charge for the front late in the race. Kurtz started third and fell back to mid pack early in the feature. By lap 14 she was gaining on the leader. Kurtz would finish sixth.

Next up for the ARDC midgets is Fulton Speedway, in Fulton NY on July 28.

Notes:

The Phoenixville Speedway will host and ARDC personality night on Wednesday August 15.

Birthday wishes are extended to ARDC driver Buddy Baker.

Lincoln Speedway will host their 2nd annual Kid"s night on August 18. That evening, the ARDC midgets will run a wingless event.

Congratulations to Randy Mausteller who won the Thunder Mountain Wing Giveaway at Grandview. Thunder Mountain Wings is owned by Charlie Provost and located in Mildred Pa.

Best Wishes for a speedy recovery are extended to ARDC driver Duane Mausteller who suffered with kidney stones following Tuesday"s rain out.

Keeping up to date, Bud Baker, who had knee surgery on July 11, is reportedly doing well.

ARDC driver Bill Ertel remains in our thoughts. You are missed.

Final Feature results:] (1) Tim Dietz, (2) Walt Stearly, (3) Mike Roselli Jr. (4) Gary Halteman, (5) Marc Freeland (6) Kathy Kurtz (7) Jim Jackson (8) Fred Schell (9) Craig Rochelle (10) Chris Mowray (11) Shawn Burke (12) Bryan Kobylarz (13) Lew Blair (14) Buddy Baker (15) Jim Knickerbocker (16) Scott Zipp (17) Brian Suchy (18) Randy Mausteller (19) Marc Dailey DNS: Don Trent, Steve Craig, Jack Curtis.